. >>> to politics now, and there are just 30 days to go until election day. last week president obama and mitt romney squared off in the first presidential debate. well, they'll do number two on the 16th of this month. the number two, yes, the vice-presidential debate is this week on thursday and our athena jones takes a look at what to expect. >> reporter: then governor sarah palin wanking during the 2000 debate with presidential nominee joe biden. not just once but half a dozen times and senator dan quayle in 1978. >> i knew jab jack kennedy. jack kennedy was a friend of mine. senator, you're no jack kennedy. >> reporter: memorable moments but hardly game-changers. vice-presidential debates like this week's upcoming matchup between vice president biden and his gop challenger paul ryan are a different animal. >> you need to be able to see that each vice-presidential candidate has hit the standard of readiness, that they'll be ready in the event of a national crisis to step into the oval office and take the reins of presidency. beyond that, unless there's a s